Hinged wheel-supported hatch cover



Oct. 27, 1953 K. w. JERNSTROM HINGED WHEEL-SUPPORTED HATCH COVER 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 7. 1948 KARL m JERNS TROM Oct. 27, 1953 K. w.JERNSTROM 2,656,810

HINGED WHEEL-SUPPORTED HATCH COVER Filed Feb. '7, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Znvnnfnr KARL w JERIVS TROM Oct. 27, 1953 K. w. JERNSTROM 2,656,310

. HINGED WHEEL-SUPPORTED 1mm COVER Filed Feb. 7. 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet s f5!? 50 A Q 49 27 k f%// A @I TnVEnTnr KARL W. JERNSTROM 06L 1953 K. w.JERNSTROM 2,656,810

HINGED WHEEL-SUPPORTED HATCH COVER Filed Feb. 7. 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4nvenTnr KARL W. JERNSTROM NC I 1 ELIE Oct. 27, 1953 K. w. JERNSTROM2,656,810

, HINGED WHEEL-SUPPORTED HATCH COVER Filed Feb. '7. 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet5 ZZLZ'IE. 26 fnvenlur KARL w JERNS TROM Patented Oct. 27, 1953 HINGEDWHEEL-SUPPORTED HATCH COVER Karl W. Jernstrom, Verona, N. J., assignorto Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationFebruary 7, 1948, Serial No. 6,877

Seaboard Machinery This invention relates to ship construction andespecially to folding hatch covers of the type consisting of one or moresections hinged to the side of the hatch.

The most common method of covering a ships cargo hatch is to lay planksacross the opening and lash a tarpaulin over the planks to make thecover Watertight. On a large hatch, considerable time and labor may berequired to remove and replace this type of cover, and the planks mustbe stacked on the deck, taking up valuable space and hindering loadingoperations. Because of the high cost of maintaining a ship in port andthe necessity of maintaining fast schedules in order to operate a cargoshipping line profitably, any device, which results in cutting the timerequired for loading and unloading is of importance to shipowners.

As an improvement over the plank covering, several types of foldingcovers are now in use, generally consisting of hinged sections hinged tothe hatch coaming. These covers fold either vertically or flat at theside of the hatch and are opened and closed with the aid of the shipshoisting gear. While considerable time is saved by the use of thefolding type of cover, tarpaulins are required to secure the covers andmake the openings watertight.

The object of this invention is to provide a hatch cover of the foldingtype which is watertight in itself when closed and may be readilysecured in a few minutes by means of attached locking clamps, thuseliminating the time and labor formerly required for handling andlashing tarpaulins.

Other objects are to produce a cover which is sufficiently strong forits purpose, but light in weight, which folds into a minimum of space,and on which worn gaskets may be easily replaced.

The cover shown here by way of illustration is of riveted constructionespecially suitable for manufacture from aluminum or similar lightmetals, but this type of cover may also be made of steel.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan View of a typical cover assembly;

Fig. 2 is a partial cross-section along line 2-2 of Fig. 1; l

Fig. 3 is a partial cross-section along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section of a cover in the raised position,particularly showing the longitudinal and lateral stiffenerconstruction;

Fig. 5 is a side view of one of the coaming 4 Claims. (Cl. 114-201)hinges with the connecting edge of the cover shown in crosssection;

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-section through line 6-6 of Fig. 1 showing oneof the cover hinges;

Fig. '7 is a side view of the hinge of Fig. 6 with adjacent parts of thecover shown in cross-section; l

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of one of the locking devices 24;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. 8, with adjacent partsof the cover shown in crosssection;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the hinge of Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of one of the locking devices 25; i

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. 11 with adjacent partsof the cover shown in crosssection;

Fig. 13 is a side view of the rollers attachedto the free edges of thecovers; i

Fig. 14 is a front view of the roller assembly of Fig. 13, with adjacentparts of the cover shown in cross-section;

Fig. 15 is an isometric view of the lifting device 26; and a i Fig. 16is an isometric view showing the gasket arrangement at a free corner ofthe cover.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a typical cover assembly consists of twosections generally indicated by, numerals l5 and H. The sections areeach made up of atop plate is to which are attached channelframe 21,long'itudinal stiifeners 2B, and transverse stiiieners H3. The sectionsare connected together along their adjoining edges by hinges 22 andsection i6 is connected to the edge of the hatch opening by hinges iii.A second similar cover assembly, here shown partly broken away, ishinged to the opposite side of the hatch opening. Locking devices 24hold the two cover assemblies together and locking devices 25 secure thecovers to the deck.

The stiffener construction is shown in Figs. 3

and 4. Transverse stiffeners [8 are channelshaped members running thefull width of the cover and tapered at the ends asshown in Fig. 3. Thestiffeners l8 may be formed from a standard channel, but are here shownas :made up of angles .29 and 33 connected by Web plate 28. Angles33 areriveted, or otherwise fastened to the top plate i9. A number of shortchannels 30 are riveted to the top plate longitudinally betweenthetransverse stiffeners and connected to stiifeners t8 by brackets 3iand 32. l The staggered arrangement of the stilfeners permits the coverto foldinto a minimum of stresses shown in'Fig. 4. if

The coaming hinge shown in Figs. 5 and consists of a slotted bracket 35,which is bolted to the hatch framing, bracket 34 which is bolted to thecover, and hinge pin 36. The hinge brackets are made up of welded steelplate. Bronze washers 31 are inserted between the brackets to reducefriction. The hinge pin 36 is secured in place by cotter'pins 38.

The hinges between cover sections are of similar construction except forthe shape of the hinge brackets 39 and 40 which are designed to fastentothe under sides of channel. frames; 211.. The

brackets 39 and 40 are held together, spacedby bronze washers 4|, byhinge pin 42 secured by cotter pins 43. If the cover ismade ofaluminum,a layer of insulating tape 44 is inserted between steel and aluminumparts to prevent corrosion due to electrolytic action.

The cover is made waterproof by suitably located gaskets of rubber orsimilar compressible material. The: arrangement at the edges of thehatch is shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 12. Z members- 45are riveted to thechannel frames 2 and, when thecover is closed, interlock with angles4.6, fastened to .the hatch framing. Gaskets. areheld on theunder sideof the Zsby screws 48: and engage the upstanding leg of angles 46. Atthe hinged edge between cover sections and where two cover assembliesmeet, a 2 member. 49 is riveted to one section asshown in Fig.'landcarries on its outer flangea gasket. 50. which. is pressed againstthe edge-channel 21 of thfiLODIlQ-y site cover section. The Z-member 4&'is reinforced atintervals long-itslengthbybars 53. Thejoint is coveredby overhanging edge 5| of: top plate I 9, reinforcedat intervals bychocks- 52. Atsthe corner-of the cover whichcarries Z member 49; the.outer leg of the Z and the gasket 58 are continued"beyond the edgeof thecover, as. shown in Fig. 16. The outerlegand web of 2- member 45 arelikewise extended; beyond the corner of the cover-and-the webis weldedto the extension of member 49. A block 54 is welded-to the under side"of theweb of member 49 f1ush with the edge of the cover to form a seatfor gasket 41 which extends to-the outeredge of gasket and meets thecorresponding gasket 4] of the adjoining cover;

The gap between covers 16 and I1; the hinges 25, and'the z'member- 49,are so'proportioned that; adequate pressure is applied to gasket 50to'make the hingedjoint watertight whenthe cover is laid flat. The jointbetween cover assemblies is secured'by drawing up locking clamps 24. Oneofthese is shown-in Figs. 8- and- 9'. Angle brackets 55: and-56' areboltedto the frames of adjoiningcovers. Sleeve 51 is welded to bracket55;and holds a rod-58; to the endof: which is welded a tab 58 The otherend of'rod ES is threaded, preferably withan Acme-thread. Nut 60 ridesonthe threaded end of rod 58; Bracket 5,5 is sl otted 'toreceiverod 58%Block. 6| engages fland preyents rod -58-from turning when .it is inthe, position'shown: When nut-fill-"is turned toti g ten the lock; rod-58 moves back-against t e upstandingleg of-bracket 55'and isprevented.

from turning inithat position by-blocks '60;

To facilitateopeningand closing, the'free ends of the coverassembliesare provided with rollers hich runalongthe edge of-the hatch.A pair of opposite roller assemblies isshownin Figs. 13 and=14. Steelplatesor castingsefirare welded toribs 63;: Plates .64, 65 and .66 arewelded-to.- get-her-and-to plate 62-and ribs 63. tov form a box-likeangular-bracket which fits: over theedge of the cover and may be boltedor welded thereto. A metal pad 13 is inserted above Z member 45. Plates62 are slotted to receive wheels 61 which are fixed to axles 68journaled in bronze bushings 14. The end of each plate 62 extends beyondthe meeting edge of the adjacent cover as shown in Fig. 13. Theconstruction of the roller bracket on opposing cover; assemblies issimilar in every wayexcept that one bracket is made shorter than theother as shown in Fig. l to produce the staggered wheel arrangementshown in Fig. 14.

when the. cover is closed, the wheels rest on a platform 10, which maybe raised and lowered byscissorsjack ll. When the platform is raised todeck level, gasket 4'! is lifted clear of angle 46; so asto free thecover for opening. In the position shown; the cover is tightly closed.The platform Ill, as shown in Fig. 14, is provided with two pairs ofguides 12 which serve to form a pair of tracks for the. wheels, eachtrack receivingone of the. wheels 61:.

One; of the; clamps. 2 5,. which look the cover. down, is shownin detailin. Figs. 11 and 12. A cast or welded U-shaped memben-lfi -is welded to.plate; H5 and the. assembled bracket bolted to the, edge of thecover.Hook l8'extends through slot 8.4,in member 15.. and is th e d bly with.anAcmethread on its upperend. I'he hook. engages eye; 8.0 which isthreaded at its ends and sceured-tothe deck by nuts 8 I andiQ-Z. llhebookmay, be, tightened todraw down the cover: by turning; nut 1.9. whichrides; on washer 83. The. clamp. may-be. readily, released: by looseningnut 19 and disengaging; the, hook 1-8'from: eye.- 80.

The liftingv eye; 2.6;. shown Fig. 15, may;.- be. castor fabricated;from steel plateand is welded DB'bOlilBdillQ coven Hi in the positionshown in Fig. -l.

"The proceduredn openingthecoyer. is to release'clamps 2.4. and 25,raise;- platforms I0 tov the" decklevel, attach a' hook; from. the shipshoisting gear to. eye,- 26. and hoist the-cover to the verticalposition. In closing, the cover is lowered until wheels 61 engage theside of; the hatch. The covers will then; roll into the closed positionbecause of their;- own weight. When the wheels havecome to rest onplatform 10, the platform is lowered and thelocking clamps-are secured.-Itzis; apparent that these operations may beperfonmedin a few minutesandwith' a minimumofeffort by one or two men and thatzthe use of thesecovers completely eliminates theslow and laborious handling of. heavyplanks andtarpaulins formerly required for making the hatch watertight.

Since certain. changes may be made in the above; described. article. anddifierentv embodie ments of the invention could/be made withoutdeparting from therscope thereof, it is, intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in;the, accompanyingdrawings shall-beinterpretedas illustrative onlyandnot ina: limitingsense;

Whatis claimedz.

1. In combination with a hatch opening-zsurrounded by a coaming, ahatchcoven comprising two cover assemblieshinged. to opposite endsof thehatchopeningat least oneof saidassemblies having two or more sectionshinged. to gether, each hinged assembly being provided with wheels atits outer edge adapted to roll along the. edge. of the. hatch openingoutwardly of said coaming. andv support the assembly during opening andclosing operations, a member securedtd-theouter edgesof, each said coverassembly located inwardly of said wheels, said member providing aninverted channel, a gasket in said channel, a projection on said coamingadjacent said channel and contacting said gasket when the hatch cover isclosed, a platform located at the edge of the hatch opening outwardly ofsaid coaming in the path of said wheels in the area of said wheels whenthe hatch cover is closed, and means for raising and lowering saidplatform to and from the level of the edge of the hatch opening to bringsaid gasket and said projection into and out of contact when the hatchcover is closed.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the wheels on the outeredge of each hinged assembly extend beyond the meeting edge of theadjacent assembly and the wheels of one assembly are located outwardlyof the wheels of said adjacent assembly, each said platform being of alength capable of receiving the wheels of the two adjacent assemblies.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said means for raisingand lowering said platform comprises a scissor jack arrangement.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2,

wherein said platform is provided with two pairs of guides extending thelength thereof, one pair of which is located outwardly of the otherpair, the space between the guides in each pair being sufficient toreceive one or said wheels.

KARL W. JERNS'I'ROM.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 934,456 McGray Sept. 21, 1909 1,028,263 Oldham June 4, 19121,821,595 Von Tell Sept. 1, 1931 1,877,361 Perkins Sept. 13, 19322,256,087 Hay Sept. 16, 1941 2,379,623 Campbell July 3, 1945 2,447,906Groppell Aug. 24, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 316,423 ItalyApr. 6, 1934 370,653 Great Britain Apr. 14, 1932 409,231 Great BritainApr. 26, 1934 472,670 Great Britain Sept. 28, 1937 934,456 France Sept.21, 1909

